2/16 Squirrels rule Methodist Monarchs 65-62

Callison drives for 2 of 17 points
Mary Baldwin College came back to the Dray today looking for it’s  fifth USA South victory tonight against USA South #1 Methodist University in front of a capacity crowd. The game was also a part of “Think Pink” week for the USA South, as the Monarchs of Methodist donned their pink uniforms and were ready to go.

The Squirrels came out energetic but unsettled against the #1 Monarchs and struggled to find consistency in their passing to get their offense started. 4 early Squirrel turnovers and hot shooting from the Methodist Monarchs had MBC down 5-13 with 14:26 in the half. The Squirrels would hang tough for the remainder of the half, not allowing the lead to go past 10 points. The Monarchs shot 53.3% from the field in the first half, was 5-10 from the 3-point arc and 4-4 from the line, while the Fighting Squirrels shot 40.6% from the field, was 4-6 from the 3-point arc and 2-4 from the line and found themselves down 41-32 at the break. Seniors Lindsay Callison and Jessica Carter worked hard to keep the Squirrels offense running, scoring 10 and 12 points respectively.

Patience, teamwork and good ball movement by the Squirrels would allow them to work their way back into the game, early in the second half. Ashley Harris of the Monarchs would push their lead to 9, but MBC would go on an 8-0 run with 3 baskets from Christie Hamilton and 2 free-throws from Jennifer Dobson, to cut the lead to 1, 42-43, and force a Monarch timeout. Moments later, Jennifer Dobson would drive from the top of the key and pitch it to Kara Hawkins for an easy 2 under the basket to give the Squirrels their first lead of the contest. Methodist would take the lead again for most of the half, and had a 4 point lead with 2:08 in the game, until a Lindsay Callison 3 would spark a change in the tide. Callison’s basket made the score 61-62 with 1:33 left. Solid defense from the Squirrels the rest of the way would pay off as Christie Hamilton got a key rebound with 32 seconds left that allowed Lindsay Callison to scone and she would give the Squirrels a one point lead again with 23 seconds left in the game. The tenacious defense Squirrel in their Dray would be tested as the Monarchs were forced to use 3 timeouts in the final seconds before Kristem Whitehurst put up a shot the Jennifer Dobson came down with after being fouled. Dobson hit both from the line to give the Squirrels a 65-62 lead. The Monarchs would throw it deep for its final attempt, but Kara Hawkins would come up with the steal to seal the game 65-62.

The Squirrels improve to 8-12 on the season and hold on to the 7th spot in the USA South while the Monarchs are 16-6 overall and are tied for second in conference. Jessica Carter led all scorers with 20 points. Lindsay Callison had a season high 17 points and Christie Hamilton scored 12 points and had 5 rebounds. The Squirrels are back on the road against Ferrum in back to back games this weekend. Game time is 2pm.